Manchin: New EPA Rule Threatens Electricity Affordability, Reliability in West Virginia, 22 Additional States

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalization of the “Good Neighbor” Rule, also known as the “Interstate Transport” Rule. The regulation establishes a Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emission budget for fossil fuel-fired power plants, which could prompt the premature closure of baseload power plants and threaten electricity affordability and reliability across West Virginia and 22 additional states.

 

“Today’s reckless decision by the EPA totally disregards 23 states’ existing plans to address ozone levels and completely ignores warnings from electricity reliability experts, elected officials and key manufacturing industries. This Administration is determined to advance a progressive, radical climate agenda. By EPA’s own analysis, the Good Neighbor Rule will drive up West Virginians’ electricity prices and cause premature closures of baseload power plants during a time when households are already facing high inflation and increasing energy costs. This destructive and rushed regulation will also target industrial sources, including iron, steel, cement and concrete manufacturers—all critical to building and maintaining American infrastructure. We know these costs will ultimately be passed along to consumers, and I’m ashamed this Administration is yet again pursuing a partisan agenda without any empathy for the pain it will inflict on American citizens.”